Gum Nebula/Vela supernova remnant

[fringe_dweller]

Inspired by Scotts pic of a section of this nebula, I was wondering how many southern astro newcomers here are aware we have the largest nebula 'visible' from earth all to ourselves (pretty much) :) . only problem is its faintness - in its entirety and broken up - its really only a photographic object.
But it spans a whopping 40 degrees at its widest!!!

check out these relevant sites
http://aida.astroinfo.org/displayimage.php?pos=-1176
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap001107.html
http://www.southernskyphoto.com/southern_sky/gum_nebula.htm
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000412.html

I am absolutely fascinated by this beast of a neb, and have been for some time, imagine if it was visible to the eye in bino's :eyepop:

and here's the next biggest dim nearby neb/bubble shell - although this may be even bigger as images go deeper and deeper? I think the orion bubble/shell is pretty damn big from memory anyone know which is bigger??

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040115.html

[xstream]

I have to agree with your fascination for it Kearn, I do as well.
We were only looking at the Vela snr on Saturday night and it being over 5 deg. alone, is a magnificent object to observe.

[astro_south]

I like looking at the "pencil" nebula - the straight line with some subtle trailing nebula to one side within the Vela SNR. I can't remember the NGC number, but it is in Hartung's book. Really stands out with an OIII filter. I have also scanned around this area and traced out some of the faint filaments of nebula - nice place to stop off when you are under dark skies

edit - a quick Google search revealed the Pencil nebula to be NGC 2736

[xstream]

It certainly is Andrew. I could spend hours cruising the area, every time I observe it the delicate nature and structure of it all just enthralls me. :)

[fringe_dweller]

Hi guys, thanks :) I forgot some of it is visual - been a while since I used an OIII, dont have my own and I admit to not having looked at the visual bits in quite a while! - although I hope one day to get some images as good as the ones I have seen on the net :-)))

[xstream]

But aperture is a definate must on this one Kearn.